Device, system and method of simultaneously communicating with a group of wireless communication units

ABSTRACT

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of simultaneously communicating with a group of wireless communication devices. For example, a wireless communication unit may assign a plurality of wireless communication devices to at least one Space-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) group based on traffic-specification (TSPEC) information corresponding to the plurality of wireless communication devices, wherein the wireless communication unit is to simultaneously transmit a plurality of different wireless communication transmissions to the plurality of wireless communication devices of the group, respectively. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

BACKGROUND

A Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) communication technique may beimplemented for communicating between a wireless communication deviceand a plurality of other wireless communication devices. The wirelesscommunication device may transmit a downlink SDMA transmission bytransmitting different signals substantially simultaneously via acombination of antennas. The combined transmitted signals may result indifferent signals, which are to be received by the plurality of otherwireless communication devices, being transmitted substantially indifferent directions on the same frequency.

The wireless communication device may receive an uplink SDMAtransmission including different signals from the plurality of otherwireless communication devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to otherelements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numeralsmay be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. The figures are listed below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of components of a group allocationframe, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method ofsimultaneously communicating with a group of wireless communicationdevices, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an article of manufacture, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments.However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, unitsand/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe discussion.

Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing”,“computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information storage medium that may storeinstructions to perform operations and/or processes.

The terms “power save” and “power save mode” as used herein may refer,for example, to reducing, diminishing, shutting down, powering off,turning off and/or switching off the electrical current to a deviceand/or component, and/or to switching the device and/or component tooperate at a sleep mode, a reduced-power mode, a stand-by mode, an idlemode and/or any other operation mode, which consumes less power thanrequired for full and/or normal operation of the device and/orcomponent, e.g., for full reception, handling, decoding, transmittingand/or processing of wireless communication signals.

The terms “regular power” and “regular power mode” as used herein mayrefer, for example, to any operating mode enabling full reception and/ornormal operation of a device and/or component, e.g., for full reception,handling, decoding, transmitting and/or processing of wirelesscommunication signals.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, anon-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehiculardevice, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumerdevice, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communicationstation, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP),a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device,an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a Set-Top-Box (STB), aBlu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD)player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVDrecorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, avideo source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereotuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a PersonalMedia Player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audioplayer, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gamingdevice, a data source, a data sink, a Digital Still camera (DSC), awired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a Wireless VideoArea Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN),a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 (IEEE802.11-1999: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer(PHY) Specifications), 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11h, 802.11j,802.11n, 802.16, 802.16d, 802.16e, 802.16f, standards (“the IEEE 802standards”) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devicesand/or networks operating in accordance with existingWireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) and/or WirelessHD™ specifications and/orfuture versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices whichare part of the above networks, one way and/or two-way radiocommunication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, acellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal CommunicationSystems (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wirelesscommunication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System(GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiveror chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a MultipleInput Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single InputMultiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input SingleOutput (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or moreinternal antennas and/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast(DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, awired or wireless handheld device (e.g., BlackBerry, Palm Treo), aWireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM),Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet RadioService (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrierCDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT),Bluetooth®, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™,Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G,2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or thelike. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systemsand/or networks.

The term “wireless device” as used herein includes, for example, adevice capable of wireless communication, a communication device capableof wireless communication, a communication station capable of wirelesscommunication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wirelesscommunication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, awireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integratedwith a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In somedemonstrative embodiments, the term “wireless device” may optionallyinclude a wireless service.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with suitablelimited-range or short-range wireless communication networks, forexample, a wireless area network, a “piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN and thelike.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a blockdiagram of a system 100 in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may include a wirelessarea network and/or a Basic Service Set (BSS) including one or morewireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices102, 144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138, capable of communicatingcontent, data, information and/or signals over one or more suitablewireless communication links, for example, a radio channel, an IRchannel, a RF channel, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) channel, and the like.One or more elements of system 100 may optionally be capable ofcommunicating over any suitable wired communication links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102,144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138 may include, for example, a PC, adesktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebookcomputer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, ahandheld device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-boarddevice, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellularphone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumerdevice, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portabledevice, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a cellular telephone, a PCSdevice, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device,a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively smallcomputing device, a non-desktop computer, a “Carry Small Live Large”(CSLL) device, an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC),a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an “Origami” device or computing device,a device that supports Dynamically Composable Computing (DCC), acontext-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, aSTB, a BD player, a BD recorder, a DVD player, a HD DVD player, a DVDrecorder, a HD DVD recorder, a PVR, a broadcast HD receiver, a videosource, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, abroadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a PMP, a DVC, a digitalaudio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, a gaming device, an audioamplifier, a data source, a data sink, a DSC, a media player, aSmartphone, a television, a music player, or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102,144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138 may include a wireless communicationunit 108 to communicate with other wireless communication devices ofsystem 100, e.g., as described below. Wireless communication devices102, 144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138 may also include, for example,one or more of a processor 120, an input unit 112, an output unit 114, amemory unit 118, and a storage unit 116. Wireless communication devices102, 144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138 may optionally include othersuitable hardware components and/or software components.

In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of eachof wireless communication devices 102, 144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or138 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may beinterconnected or operably associated using one or more wired orwireless links. In other embodiments, components of wirelesscommunication devices 102, 144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138 may bedistributed among multiple or separate devices.

Processor 120 includes, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), aDigital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, asingle-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor,a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality ofprocessors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits,circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), anApplication-Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose orspecific processor or controller. Processor 120 executes instructions,for example, of an Operating System (OS) of wireless communicationdevice 102, and/or of one or more suitable applications.

Input unit 112 includes, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, atouch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitablepointing device or input device.

Output unit 114 includes, for example, a monitor, a screen, a flat paneldisplay, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers orearphones, or other suitable output devices.

Memory unit 118 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), aRead Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM(SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, acache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memoryunit, or other suitable memory units. Storage unit 116 includes, forexample, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD)drive, a ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable ornon-removable storage units. Memory unit 118 and/or storage unit 116,for example, may store data processed by wireless communication device102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108includes, for example, one or more wireless transmitters, receiversand/or transceivers able to send and/or receive wireless communicationsignals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets,messages, data items, and/or data. For example, wireless communicationunit 108 may include or may be implemented as part of a wireless NetworkInterface Card (NIC), and the like.

Wireless communication unit 108 may include, or may be associated with,one or more antennas or one or more sets of antennae 110. Antennae 110may include, for example, an internal and/or external RF antenna, adipole antenna, a monopole antenna, an omni-directional antenna, an endfed antenna, a circularly polarized antenna, a micro-strip antenna, adiversity antenna, or other type of antenna suitable for transmittingand/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames,transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data.

In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more of the wirelesscommunication devices of system 100, for example, wireless communicationdevice 102, may perform the functionality of an Access Point (AP),Control Point (CP), Base Station (BS) or any coordinator or controller,e.g., as defined by the IEEE 802.11 and/or WGA specifications.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maybe capable of simultaneously transmitting transmissions to two or moreother devices of system 100 and/or simultaneously receivingtransmissions from two or more other devices of system 100.

In some embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 may be capable ofperforming Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) communication. Forexample, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit a downlink SDMAtransmission by transmitting different signals substantiallysimultaneously via antennae 110, such that the combined transmittedsignals result in different signals, which are intended to be receivedby two or more other wireless communication devices of system 100, beingtransmitted substantially in different directions on the same frequency.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayreceive an uplink SDMA transmission including different signals from twoor more other devices of system 100.

The term “substantially simultaneously”, as used herein with referenceto transmitting to two or more different wireless communication devicesand/or receiving from two or more wireless communication devices, mayrefer to transmitting and/or receiving two or more transmissions,wherein at least a portion of each transmission and/or reception occursat the same time, but does not imply that the different transmissionsand/or receptions must start and/or end at the same time, although theymay.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maysimultaneously communicate with one or more groups of devices accordingto a SDMA scheme, e.g., as described in detail below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign two or more other wireless communication devices of system 100 toat least one group, and simultaneously communicate with the devices ofthe group according to a SDMA scheme, e.g., as described in detailbelow. For example, wireless communication unit 108 may assign one ormore devices, e.g., devices 144, 146 and/or 148, to a first SDMA group140; and/or assign one or more devices, e.g., devices 134, 136 and/or138, to a second SDMA group 130.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the wireless communication devices ofgroups 140 and/or 130 may be grouped together, e.g., by wirelesscommunication unit 108, according to any suitable criteria, for example,one or more traffic-specification (TSPEC) requirements, e.g., quality ofservice requirements, bandwidth requirements, traffic patternrequirements, and the like, and/or any other suitable requirement and/orparameter.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maybe capable of receiving the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136, and/or 138 as a part ofan Add Traffic Stream (ADDTS) Request frame. The ADDTS frame receivedfrom a wireless communication device may include a suitable TSPECInformation Element (IE) and/or field, which may include the TSPECinformation corresponding to the wireless communication device. In otherembodiments, wireless communication unit 108 may receive the TSPECinformation as part of any other suitable frame and/or communicationand/or in any other suitable format.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the TSPEC information correspondingto a wireless communication device, as received by wirelesscommunication unit 108, may include traffic flow information defining atraffic flow between the wireless communication device and wirelesscommunication unit 108. The TSPEC information corresponding to thewireless communication device may include, for example, one or more of atraffic pattern of the traffic flow, a Quality of Service (QoS) of thetraffic flow, and/or any other series of requirements, parameters,characteristics and/or expectations of a traffic flow. For example,wireless communication unit 108 may receive a first ADDTS frame fromwireless communication device 144, including traffic flow information,e.g., a traffic pattern and/or a QoS, defining a traffic flow betweenwireless communication device 144 and wireless communication unit 108; asecond ADDTS frame from wireless communication device 146, includingtraffic flow information, e.g., a traffic pattern and/or a QoS, defininga traffic flow between wireless communication device 146 and wirelesscommunication unit 108; a third ADDTS frame from wireless communicationdevice 148, including traffic flow information, e.g., a traffic patternand/or a QoS, defining a traffic flow between wireless communicationdevice 148 and wireless communication unit 108; a fourth ADDTS framefrom wireless communication device 134, including traffic flowinformation, e.g., a traffic pattern and/or a QoS, defining a trafficflow between wireless communication device 134 and wirelesscommunication unit 108; a fifth ADDTS frame from wireless communicationdevice 136, including traffic flow information, e.g., a traffic patternand/or a QoS, defining a traffic flow between wireless communicationdevice 136 and wireless communication unit 108; and/or a sixth ADDTSframe from wireless communication device 138, including traffic flowinformation, e.g., a traffic pattern and/or a QoS, defining a trafficflow between wireless communication device 144 and wirelesscommunication unit 138.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the TSPEC information, received bywireless communication unit 108 from a wireless communication device,may include a directionality of the traffic flow between the wirelesscommunication device and wireless communication unit 108. Thedirectionality of the traffic flow may be determined, for example, basedon the traffic pattern of the traffic flow. For example, thedirectionality of the traffic flow may include an uplink traffic flow,e.g., including uplink transmissions from the wireless communicationdevice to wireless communication unit 108; a downlink traffic flow,e.g., including downlink transmissions from wireless communication unit108 to the wireless communication device; or a bidirectional trafficflow, e.g., including both uplink transmissions and downlinktransmissions.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the QoS of the traffic flow mayinclude, for example, a QoS parameter representing, for example, apriority type of the traffic flow, e.g., guaranteeing a certain level ofperformance. The priority type of the traffic flow may be selected, forexample, from a set of predefined priority types. In one example, theQoS of the traffic flow may be selected from a set of four predefinedpriority types, for example, a video priority type, an audio (voice)priority type, a best effort priority type, and a background prioritytype, e.g., as defined by the 802.11 standard and/or any other suitablestandard.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the traffic flow corresponding to awireless communication device may be categorized as an isochronoustraffic flow, for example, if the traffic flow includes a time-dependenttraffic flow, e.g., including video and/or voice data; and/or as anasynchronous traffic flow, for example, if the traffic flow is nottime-dependent, e.g., if the traffic flow does not include video orvoice data.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign wireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136 and/or 138to one or more groups, e.g., including groups 130 and/or 140, based onthe categorization and/or directionality of the traffic flowscorresponding to wireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136and/or 138.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign wireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136 and/or 138to an uplink isochronous group, a downlink isochronous group, abidirectional isochronous group, and/or a bi-directional asynchronousgroup. In other embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 may assignwireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136 and/or 138 to anyother suitable group.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign a wireless communication device of devices 144, 146, 148, 134,136 and 138 to the uplink isochronous group, for example, if the TSPECinformation corresponding to the wireless communication devicerepresents an uplink traffic pattern including at least one of video andvoice data; wireless communication unit 108 may assign the wirelesscommunication device to the downlink isochronous group if the TSPECinformation corresponding to the wireless communication devicerepresents a downlink traffic pattern including at least one of videoand voice data; wireless communication unit 108 may assign the wirelesscommunication device to the bi-directional isochronous group if theTSPEC information corresponding to the wireless communication devicerepresents a bidirectional traffic pattern including at least one ofvideo and voice data; and/or wireless communication unit 108 may assignthe wireless communication device to the bi-directional asynchronousgroup if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents another traffic pattern.

In one example, the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication device 144 may define an uplink traffic flow of the videopriority type; the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication device 146 may define an uplink traffic flow of the audiopriority type; the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication device 148 may define an uplink traffic flow of the videopriority type; the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication device 134 may define a bidirectional traffic flow of thevideo priority type; the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication device 136 may define a bidirectional traffic flow of thevideo priority type; and the TSPEC information corresponding to wirelesscommunication device 138 may define a bidirectional traffic flow of theaudio priority type. According to this example, wireless communicationunit 108 may assign wireless communication devices 144, 146 and 148 toan uplink isochronous group, e.g., group 140; and/or wirelesscommunication unit 108 may assign wireless communication devices 134,136 and 138 to a bi-directional isochronous group, e.g., group 130.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign wireless communication devices that do not support steady streamcommunication, or which did not provide their TSPEC information towireless communication unit 108, to the bi-directional asynchronous SDMAgroup and/or any other suitable group.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maysimultaneously assign at least one wireless communication device of theother wireless communication devices of system 100 to more than one SDMAgroup. For example, although in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 wirelesscommunication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 are illustrated as beingassigned only to group 140, it should be appreciated that in otherembodiments wireless communication unit 108 may assign at least onewireless communication device of system 100, e.g., wirelesscommunication device 144, to two or more groups, e.g., to both groups140 and 130. Such assignment of a wireless communication device to twoor more groups may be performed if, for example, the wirelesscommunication device is the single device having a bi-directionalisochronous traffic flow in a network and/or a Basic-Service-Set (BSS)controlled and/or managed by wireless communication unit 108. In thiscase, it may be preferable to assign the wireless communication deviceto both a downlink isochronous group and an uplink isochronous SDMAgroup, rather than to create a bi-directional isochronous “group”including only the wireless communication device.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 to group 140,and provide to wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148suitable group allocation information defining group 140 and/or relatingto group 140. Wireless communication unit 108 may assign wirelesscommunication devices 134, 136 and/or 138 to group 130, and provide towireless communication devices 134, 136 and/or 138 suitable groupallocation information defining group 130 and/or relating to group 130.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign to each of groups 140 and/or 130 a wireless communication address(also referred to as “group address” or “multicast address”). The groupaddress assigned to groups 140 and/or 130 may include, for example, asuitable Media-Access-Control (MAC) address or a multicast address,which may be assigned uniquely, e.g., within system 100 and/or a BSScontrolled and/or managed by wireless communication unit 108.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayinform wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 of the groupaddress assigned to group 140, and/or may inform wireless communicationdevices 134, 136 and/or 138 of the group address assigned to group 130,for example, by using any suitable transmission, frame and/or packet.For example, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit one or moreunicast frames to wireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136and/or 138 e.g., a first group allocation frame addressed to wirelesscommunication device 144, a second group allocation frame addressed towireless communication device 146, a third group allocation frameaddressed to wireless communication device 148, a fourth groupallocation frame addressed to wireless communication device 134, a fifthgroup allocation frame addressed to wireless communication device 136and/or a sixth group allocation frame addressed to wirelesscommunication device 138. The first, second and third group allocationframes may include, for example, the group address of group 140 and/orthe forth, fifth and sixth third group allocation frames may include,for example, the group address of group 130.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maydetermine, e.g., based on any suitable criteria, an order at whichwireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134, 136 and/or 138 are torespond to a transmission from wireless communication unit 108, forexample, such that wireless communication devices 144, 146, 148, 134,136 and/or 138 may respond during non-overlapping time periods, e.g., asdescribed below. For example, after assigning wireless communicationdevices 144, 146, 148 to group 140, wireless communication unit 108 maydetermine that wireless communication device 144 is to respond to thetransmission from wireless communication unit 108 a first offset timeafter the transmission from wireless communication unit 108, thatwireless communication device 146 is to respond to the transmission fromwireless communication unit 108 a second offset time, which is longerthan the first offset time after the transmission, and/or that wirelesscommunication device 148 is to respond to the transmission from wirelesscommunication unit 108 a third offset time, which is longer than thesecond offset time after the transmission. A difference between thesecond and first offset times and/or difference between the third andsecond offset times may be at least equal to a duration of the responsesfrom wireless communication devices 144 and/or 146, e.g., to allowwireless communication devices 144, 146 and 148 to respond duringnon-overlapping periods.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 112 mayinclude an indication of the required order, for example, in the groupallocation frame, e.g., as part of a predefined field (“the DeviceAssociation Identifier (AID) list field”). For example, the groupallocation frame transmitted to devices 144, 146 and/or 148 may includevalues representing wireless communication devices 144, 146 and 148according to the required order. For example, the group allocation framemay include, e.g., in AID list field, a value representing the MACaddress of wireless communication device 146 followed by a valuerepresenting the MAC address of wireless communication device 144, whichin turn may be followed by a value representing the MAC address ofwireless communication device 148, e.g., if wireless communicationdevice 146 is to respond to wireless communication unit 108 prior to aresponse from wireless communication device 144, which in turn is torespond to wireless communication unit 108 prior to a response fromwireless communication device 148.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 144,146 and/or 148 may each determine the order at which to respond towireless communication unit 108, based on the indication of the requiredorder.

In some embodiments, wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148may transmit the responses at a data rate equal to a data rate of thetransmission from wireless communication unit 108, e.g., in order toallow wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 to schedule thetransmission of the responses, such that wireless communication device108 may be able to receive the responses.

In another embodiment, wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or148 may transmit the responses at a selected predefined data rate forcommunication with wireless communication unit 108. In one example,wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 may transmit theresponses at a data rate, which is selected from a predefined set ofdata rates implemented for communication in system 100, e.g., theBSSBasicRateSet as defined by the 802.11 standards. For example,wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 may transmit theresponses at a highest data rate of the BSSBasicRateSet, which is lessthan or equal to a rate of an immediately previous frame received fromwireless communication unit 108.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayassign wireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 to group 140,and/or assign wireless communication devices 134, 136 and/or 138 togroup 130, for example, while not directly providing wirelesscommunication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 with information definingand/or relating to group 140 and/or not directly providing wirelesscommunication devices 134, 136 and/or 138 with information definingand/or relating to group 130. According to this example, wirelesscommunication unit 108 may simultaneously transmit downlinktransmissions to devices of group 140 and/or 130, e.g., while one ormore of the wireless communication devices of group 140 and/or 130 maynot be aware of the simultaneous transmission to other devices in group140 and/or 130, respectively, for example, if the one or more wirelesscommunication devices are not required to and/or is not able to transmituplink SDMA transmissions to wireless communication unit 108. Forexample, wireless communication unit 108 may transmit a downlink SDMAtransmission to a wireless communication device, e.g., device 148, whilethe wireless communication device may not be aware of the fact that thedownlink transmission is a downlink transmission, for example, ifwireless communication device 148 is not required to and/or is not ableto transmit uplink SDMA transmissions to wireless communication unit108.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which schematically illustratescomponents of a group allocation frame 200, in accordance with somedemonstrative embodiments. In some embodiments, group allocation frame200 may include a group allocation frame transmitted by wirelesscommunication unit 108 (FIG. 1) to a group of wireless communicationdevices, e.g., group 130 and/or 140 (FIG. 1), as described above. Groupallocation frame 200 may be transmitted in the form of and/or as part ofany suitable control, management and/or data frame.

In some demonstrative embodiments, group allocation frame 200 mayinclude any suitable category field 204 having a value to indicate acategory of frame 200 and/or an action field 206, e.g., as defined bythe IEEE 802.11 standard, and the like. For example, fields 204 and/or206 may have predefined values indicating that frame 200 is a groupallocation frame.

In some demonstrative embodiments, group allocation frame 200 mayinclude a group type field 208 having a value representing the type ofthe group. For example, field 208 may have a value, e.g., selected froma predefined set of values, indicating a predefined set of differentgroup types. In one example, field 208 may have a value a downlinkisochronous group, an uplink isochronous group, a bidirectionalisochronous group or a bidirectional asynchronous group, e.g., asdescribed above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, group allocation frame 200 mayinclude a multicast address field 212, which may contain a valuerepresenting a group address assigned to the group. For example, field212 may include a MAC address, e.g., uniquely assigned to the groupwithin a BSS and/or a network, e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, group allocation frame 200 mayinclude an AID list field 214, which may include a set of valuesdefining a response order of the wireless communication devices assignedto the group, e.g., as described above.

Referring back to FIG. 1., in some demonstrative embodiments, wirelesscommunication unit 108 may schedule the communication with one or moreother wireless communication devices of system 100, for example, aftersending group allocation frame 200 (FIG. 2) to one or more of the otherwireless communication devices of system 100.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayschedule simultaneous uplink and/or downlink transmissions betweenwireless communication unit 108 and the wireless communication devicesof a group (“the scheduled group”) of groups 130 and/or 140, forexample, according to any suitable power management scheme, e.g., aPower Save Multi-Poll (PSMP) scheme, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit at least one scheduling frame to the wireless communicationdevices of the scheduled group.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit at least one scheduling frame, defining one or more uplink anddownlink time periods, to the wireless communication devices of thescheduled group, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may include anysuitable power-management control frame, e.g., a PSMP activation frame,and the like. The scheduling frame may schedule at least one downlinktransmission period, e.g., a PSMP downlink transmission (PSMP-DTT)period, during which wireless communication unit 108 may transmitsimultaneous transmissions to wireless communication devices of thescheduled group; and/or at least one uplink transmission period, e.g., aPSMP uplink transmission (PSMP-UTT) period, during which wirelesscommunication unit 108 is to receive uplink communications, e.g.,sequentially and/or simultaneously, from wireless communication devicesof the scheduled group, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 mayuse the scheduling frame as part of the power management scheme, forexample, to manage the scheduling of power save periods at one or morewireless communication devices of the scheduled group, e.g., between thedownlink and/or uplink transmissions. For example, wirelesscommunication unit 108 may transmit to the wireless communicationdevices of group 140 a scheduling frame instructing the wirelesscommunication devices of group 140 to operate, during the one or morescheduled downlink periods, at a power mode, e.g., a regular power mode,at which the devices of group 140 are capable of receivingcommunications from wireless communication unit; and/or informing thewireless communication devices of group 140 of the one or more uplinkperiods, during which the wireless communication devices of group 140may be allowed to transmit uplink transmissions to wirelesscommunication unit 108. In one example, wireless communication unit 108may transmit to the wireless communication devices of group 140 ascheduling frame defining a downlink period beginning within 5milliseconds (ms), e.g., with reference to any suitable reference timepoint, and lasting 10 ms; and/or an uplink beginning within 60 ms andlasting 20 ms. According to this example, wireless communication devices144, 146 and/or 148 may switch to a power save mode during a time periodbetween 15^(th) ms and the 60^(th) ms. One or more wirelesscommunication devices of the scheduled group may switch back to theregular power mode, e.g., before or at the end of the power save period.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit one or more scheduling frames to schedule uplink and/ordownlink periods corresponding to two or more groups, e.g., groups 130and 140. In one embodiment, wireless communication unit 108 may transmita common scheduling frame to schedule different uplink and/or downlinkperiods for groups 130 and 140. For example, the scheduling frame mayinclude an indication of group 130, e.g., the group multicast addressassigned to group 130, which may be associated with an indication offirst uplink and/or downlink periods scheduled for group 130; anindication of group 140, e.g., the group multicast address assigned togroup 140, which may be associated with an indication of first uplinkand/or downlink periods scheduled for group 140. In another embodiment,wireless communication unit 108 may transmit different scheduling framesto the wireless communication devices of different groups of wirelesscommunication devices, to notify the wireless communication devices ofthe different groups of different scheduled simultaneous downlink and/oruplink periods. For example, wireless communication unit 108 maytransmit a first scheduling frame to wireless communication devices 144,146 and 148 of group 140, defining the downlink and/or uplink periodsfor group 140; and/or a second scheduling frame to wirelesscommunication devices 134, 136 and 138 of group 130, defining thedownlink and/or uplink periods transmission for group 130.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may include aPSMP downlink transmission (PSMP-DTT) start offset field to indicate thetime of initiation of a PSMP-DTT period, e.g., with reference to anysuitable reference time; and a PSMP-DTT duration field 206 to indicatethe duration of the PSMP DTT period.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may include atleast one PSMP uplink transmission (PSMP-UTT) start offset field, toindicate the time of initiation of at least one PSMP UTT period,respectively; and at least one PSMP-UTT duration field, to indicate theduration time of the at least one PSMP UTT period, respectively.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may include oneor more address ID fields to identify one or more wireless communicationdevices and/or one or more groups of wireless communication devicesintended to receive the scheduling frame. In one embodiment, an addressID field may represent the group address or multicast address assignedto the scheduled group, e.g., as described above, for example, ifwireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) transmits the scheduling frameto the group of wireless communication devices as part of a broadcasttransmission. In another embodiment, an address ID field may represent aunicast address of a specific wireless communication device, e.g.,wireless communication device 144 (FIG. 1), intended to receive thescheduling frame, e.g., if wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1)transmits the scheduling frame to a single wireless communication deviceas part of a unicast transmission. In another embodiment, the address IDfields may include a plurality of address ID fields including aplurality of group addresses corresponding to a plurality of groups,e.g., two group address corresponding to groups 130 and 140,respectively. According to this embodiment, the scheduling frame mayinclude for example, a first address ID field having a valuerepresenting a first group or a first wireless communication device(“first recipient”) followed by a second address ID field having a valuerepresenting a second group or a second wireless communication device(“second recipient”); and a first set of PSMP-DTT and/or PSMP-UTT valuesdefining one or more PSMP DTT and/or UTT periods scheduled for the firstrecipient; followed by a second set of PSMP-DTT and/or PSMP-UTT valuesdefining one or more PSMP DTT and/or UTT periods scheduled for thesecond recipient, and so on.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may define acommon PSMP UTT period, during which the wireless communication devicesof the scheduled group may simultaneously perform uplink transmissions,for example, if the wireless communication devices of the scheduledgroup support uplink SDMA transmission. For example, wirelesscommunication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit a first scheduling frame towireless communication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 (FIG. 1), defining atleast one PSMP-UTT period scheduled for transmissions from wirelesscommunication devices 144, 146 and/or 148 (FIG. 1) to wirelesscommunication unit 108 (FIG. 1), e.g., if wireless communication devices144, 146 and/or 148 (FIG. 1) support uplink SDMA transmission.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may define aplurality of PSMP UTT periods, during which the wireless communicationdevices of the scheduled group may sequentially perform uplinktransmissions, for example, if the wireless communication devices of thescheduled group do not support uplink SDMA transmission. For example,wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may define the order at which aplurality of PSMP UTT periods are to be scheduled to wirelesscommunication devices 134, 136 and/or 138 of group 130 (FIG. 1), e.g.,if wireless communication devices 134, 136 and/or 138 of group 130(FIG. 1) do not support uplink SDMA transmissions. Wirelesscommunication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may define the order using, for example,the AID list field, e.g., as described above.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which schematically illustrates amethod of simultaneously communicating with a group of wirelesscommunication devices, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more of the operations of themethod of FIG. 3 may be performed by a wireless communication device,for example, wireless communication device 102 (FIG. 1), a wirelesscommunication unit, e.g., wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1)and/or any other wireless communication device capable coordinatingtransmissions within a network.

As indicated in block 306, the method may include assigning a pluralityof wireless communication devices to at least one SDMA group based onTSPEC information corresponding to the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices.

As indicated at block 304, the method may include receiving the TSPECinformation corresponding to the plurality of wireless communicationdevices. For example, wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) mayreceive the TSPEC information corresponding to wireless communicationdevice 144, 146, 148, 134, 136 and/or 138 (FIG. 1), e.g., as describedabove.

As indicated in block 312, assigning the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices may include assigning a wireless communicationdevice of the plurality of wireless communication devices based on atleast one of a traffic pattern of traffic flow corresponding to thewireless communication device, and quality of service of the trafficflow, e.g., as described above.

As indicated in block 314, assigning the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices may include assigning the wireless communicationdevice based on a directionality of the traffic flow. The directionalityof the traffic flow may include, for example, an uplink traffic flow, adownlink traffic flow or a bidirectional traffic flow, e.g., asdescribed above.

As indicated in block 316, assigning the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices may include assigning the wireless communicationdevice based on a priority type of the traffic flow, the priority typeincluding a voice priority, a video priority, a best effort priority ora background priority, e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, assigning the one or more wirelesscommunication devices may include assigning a wireless communicationdevice to an uplink isochronous group if the TSPEC informationcorresponding to the wireless communication device represents an uplinktraffic pattern including at least one of video and voice data;assigning the wireless communication device to a downlink isochronousgroup if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents a downlink traffic pattern including atleast one of video and voice data; assigning the wireless communicationdevice to a bi-directional isochronous group if the TSPEC informationcorresponding to the wireless communication device represents abidirectional traffic pattern including at least one of video and voicedata; and assigning the wireless communication device to abi-directional asynchronous group if the TSPEC information correspondingto the wireless communication device represents another traffic pattern,e.g., as described above.

As indicated in block 318, the method may include transmitting groupallocation information to the plurality of wireless communicationdevices assigned to the group. The group allocation information mayinclude, for example, a group address assigned to the group, wherein acommon transmission to the plurality of wireless communication devicesassigned to the group is to be addressed to the group address, e.g., asdescribed above.

As indicated at block 320, transmitting the group allocation informationmay include transmitting an indication of an order at which the wirelesscommunication devices of the group are to respond to a downlinktransmission, e.g., as described above.

As indicated in block 308, the method may include simultaneouslytransmitting a plurality of different wireless communicationtransmissions to the plurality of wireless communication devices of thegroup, respectively. For example, wireless communication unit 108(FIG. 1) may simultaneously transmit a plurality of different wirelesscommunication transmissions, e.g., in the form of a SDMA downlinktransmission, to wireless communication devices 144, 146, 148 (FIG. 1)of group 140 (FIG. 1).

As indicated at block 309, the method may include transmitting at leastone scheduling frame including an indication of a downlink period,during which the plurality of different wireless communicationtransmissions are to be transmitted to the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices of the group. For example, wireless communicationunit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit a scheduling frame defining at least onePSMP-DTT period, e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the scheduling frame may include anindication of an uplink period for receiving, simultaneously orsequentially, a plurality of different uplink transmissions from theplurality of wireless communication devices of the group. For example,wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) may transmit the schedulingframe defining at least one PSMP-UTT period, e.g., as described above.

Reference is made to FIG. 5, which schematically illustrates an articleof manufacture 500, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.Article 500 may include a machine-readable storage medium 502 to storelogic 504, which may be used, for example, to perform at least part ofthe functionality of wireless communication unit 108 (FIG. 1) and/orwireless communication device 102 (FIG. 1); and/or to perform one ormore operations of the methods of FIGS. 3 and/or 7.

In some demonstrative embodiments, article 500 and/or machine-readablestorage medium 502 may include one or more types of computer-readablestorage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory,non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable ornon-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. Forexample, machine-readable storage medium 502 may include, RAM, DRAM,Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), CompactDisk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory(e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM),polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory,silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppydisk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magneticcard, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. Thecomputer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involvedwith downloading or transferring a computer program from a remotecomputer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in acarrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link,e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 504 may include instructions,data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause themachine to perform a method, process and/or operations as describedherein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processingplatform, computing platform, computing device, processing device,computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like,and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware,software, firmware, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 504 may include, or may beimplemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program,a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words,values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitabletype of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code,executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Theinstructions may be implemented according to a predefined computerlanguage, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform acertain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitablehigh-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/orinterpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab,Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein withreference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may beutilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations,components and/or features described herein with reference to one ormore other embodiments, or vice versa.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, tobe understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

1. A device including: a wireless communication unit to assign aplurality of wireless communication devices to at least oneSpace-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) group based ontraffic-specification (TSPEC) information corresponding to the pluralityof wireless communication devices, wherein the wireless communicationunit is to simultaneously transmit a plurality of different wirelesscommunication transmissions to the plurality of wireless communicationdevices of the group, respectively.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe TSPEC information corresponding to a wireless communication deviceincludes at least one of a traffic pattern of traffic flow between thewireless communication device and the wireless communication unit, andquality of service of the traffic flow, and wherein the wirelesscommunication unit is to assign the wireless communication device to thegroup based on at least one of the traffic pattern and the quality ofservice.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the TSPEC informationincludes a directionality of the traffic flow, and wherein the wirelesscommunication unit is to assign the wireless communication device to thegroup based on the directionality of the traffic flow.
 4. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the directionality of the traffic flow includes anuplink traffic flow, a downlink traffic flow or a bidirectional trafficflow.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the quality of service of thetraffic flow represents a priority type of the traffic flow, thepriority type including a voice priority, a video priority, a besteffort priority or a background priority.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit group allocationinformation to the plurality of wireless communication devices assignedto the group, wherein the group allocation information includes a groupaddress assigned to the group, and wherein the wireless communicationunit is to transmit a common transmission to the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices assigned to the group by transmitting the commontransmission addressed to the group address.
 7. The device of claim 6,wherein the group allocation information includes an indication of anorder at which the wireless communication devices of the group are torespond to the wireless communication unit.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the wireless communication unit is to assign a wirelesscommunication device of the plurality of devices to an uplinkisochronous group if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents an uplink traffic pattern including atleast one of video and voice data, wherein the wireless communicationunit is to assign the wireless communication device to a downlinkisochronous group if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents a downlink traffic pattern including atleast one of video and voice data, wherein the wireless communicationunit is to assign the wireless communication device to a bi-directionalisochronous group if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents a bidirectional traffic patternincluding at least one of video and voice data, and wherein the wirelesscommunication unit is to assign the wireless communication device to abi-directional asynchronous group if the TSPEC information correspondingto the wireless communication device represents another traffic pattern,9. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication devicecomprises a coordinator of a wireless communication network.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is totransmit at least one scheduling frame including an indication of adownlink period, and wherein the wireless communication unit is tosimultaneously transmit the plurality of different wirelesscommunication transmissions to the plurality of wireless communicationdevices of the group during the downlink period.
 11. The device of claim10, wherein the scheduling frame includes an indication of an uplinkperiod, and wherein the wireless communication unit is to simultaneouslyreceive a plurality of different uplink transmissions from the pluralityof wireless communication devices of the group during the uplink period.12. The device of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication unit isto transmit the scheduling frame having an address field including agroup address assigned to the group.
 13. A method comprising: assigninga plurality of wireless communication devices to at least oneSpace-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) group based on trafficspecification (TSPEC) information corresponding to the plurality ofwireless communication devices; and simultaneously transmitting aplurality of different wireless communication transmissions to theplurality of wireless communication devices of the group, respectively.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the TSPEC information correspondingto a wireless communication device includes at least one of a trafficpattern of traffic flow corresponding to the wireless communicationdevice, and quality of service of the traffic flow, and whereinassigning the plurality of wireless communication devices includesassigning the wireless communication device to the group based on atleast one of the traffic pattern and the quality of service.
 15. Themethod of claim 13 including transmitting group allocation informationto the plurality of wireless communication devices assigned to thegroup, wherein the group allocation information includes a group addressassigned to the group.
 16. The method of claim 13 including assigning awireless communication device of the plurality of devices to an uplinkisochronous group if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents an uplink traffic pattern including atleast one of video and voice data, assigning the wireless communicationdevice to a downlink isochronous group if the TSPEC informationcorresponding to the wireless communication device represents a downlinktraffic pattern including at least one of video and voice data,assigning the wireless communication device to a bi-directionalisochronous group if the TSPEC information corresponding to the wirelesscommunication device represents a bidirectional traffic patternincluding at least one of video and voice data, and assigning thewireless communication device to a bi-directional asynchronous group ifthe TSPEC information corresponding to the wireless communication devicerepresents another traffic pattern,
 17. The method of claim 13 includingtransmitting at least one scheduling frame including an indication of adownlink period, simultaneously transmitting the plurality of differentwireless communication transmissions to the plurality of wirelesscommunication devices of the group during the downlink period.
 18. Asystem comprising: at least one wireless communication device including:one or more antennas; and a wireless communication unit to assign aplurality of other wireless communication devices to at least oneSpace-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) group based ontraffic-specification (TSPEC) information corresponding to the pluralityof other wireless communication devices, and to simultaneously transmitvia the antennas a plurality of different wireless communicationtransmissions to the plurality of other wireless communication devicesof the group, respectively.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein theTSPEC information corresponding to a wireless communication deviceincludes at least one of a traffic pattern of traffic flow between thewireless communication device and the wireless communication unit, andquality of service of the traffic flow, and wherein the wirelesscommunication unit is to assign the wireless communication device to thegroup based on at least one of the traffic pattern and the quality ofservice.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the wireless communicationunit is to transmit group allocation information to the plurality ofwireless communication devices assigned to the group, wherein the groupallocation information includes a group address assigned to the group,and wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit a commontransmission to the plurality of wireless communication devices assignedto the group by transmitting the common transmission addressed to thegroup address.